The evolution towards converged networks and the need for carriers to support divergent technologies, i.e. CDMA and GSM has created an increased demand for multi-protocol support. This is specifically the application layer protocols - Layer 7 (SS7) - that carry industry and geographic idiosyncrasies in order to deliver specific enhanced applications and services to their subscriber bases.

CIPHER offers service mediation solutions for legacy networks that allow carriers to merge their IN service infrastructure across various IN protocols. Carriers need to allow these distinct and specific protocols in different networks to communicate with other SS7 based protocols. For example, a converged carrier may have a ringback tone system from a wireless operation based on WIN and desires to have this system used by a fixed AIN based network. CIPHER provides the ability for these disparate networks to combine and utilize these services, reducing CAPEX and OPEX. CIPHER also provides the ability to not only mediate the protocols, but to provide orchestration of the interaction between a user and the various service capabilities of the Intelligent Network.

In short, CIPHER applies next-generation concepts to bridge today's legacy or circuit-switched network to the emerging IP network, resulting in a more flexible and cost-effective architecture.

Fixed Mobile Interoperability

CIPHER's innate capability to allow multiple protocols to communicate enables carriers and service providers with the ability to support wireline and wireless networks seamlessly. CIPHER enables the exposure of all IN SCP based services, regardless of protocols to any Fixed or Mobile subscriber.

CDMA/GSM Interoperability

CIPHER enables any GSM or CDMA subscriber to access any service provided by a CDMA (WIN) or GSM (CAP) SCP. As carriers and service providers transition from one network to another (GSM to CDMA, CDMA to GSM) or acquire a network with a different IN protocol (WIN vs. CAP), CIPHER provides transparent interoperability in order to preserve the carrier/service provider's investment in Intelligent Network services.

IN Service Composition

The CIPHER IN service composition solution allows for multiple SCPs to provide services in a single call. By mediating between the multiple SCPs, CIPHER provides this capability to create new IN service packages by combining separate disparate services. Previously, only one SCP could control the services for a subscriber on session or call. With CIPHER serving as a Service Session Controller (SSC), the subscriber can receive services from multiple SCPs for a session or call.

Multi-Trigger IN

The CIPHER Multi-Trigger IN solution fills a void in traditional networks by providing the capability to query two or more IN elements (SCPs) for a service sequence. For example, Ringback tone service for Prepaid subscribers. Traditional MSCs can provide a single query (trigger) for example to check prepaid balance, but are not able to then launch a trigger for the application pertaining to a particular subscriber on that call. CIPHER has the ability to provide this service for multiple IN elements.

IN Variant Management

The CIPHER IN Variant Management solution allows different variations of network protocols to communicate. There are many equipment vendor specific proprietary versions, network extensions, and national extensions of standard protocols, i.e. SIP, INAP, CAP, MAP, AIN, and WIN. These are traditionally used to add value to applications or to satisfy the specific network and/or national regulations. Cirries provides the tools to accept these different variations and bridge the payload information between versions of the same protocol and/or other protocols.